In a landmark decision following the Switzerland casino industry’s delegate meeting on May 22, the Swiss Federal Council has unveiled new regulations for casino licenses, set to commence in January 2025. These licenses will be granted for 20 years, introducing new casinos and reinforcing industry standards.

New Casinos in Prilly and Winterthur

As part of the new licensing framework, new casinos have been approved in Prilly and Winterthur. Notably, the Winterthur casino will replace the current venue in Schaffhausen, as no application was submitted for the latter location. This shift underscores the evolving landscape of Switzerland’s gambling industry.

Gerhard Pfister, President of the Swiss Casino Association, hailed the new licenses as a historic milestone for Switzerland’s gambling sector. “The granting of the new concessions is a milestone,” Pfister stated. “The federal government has recognised that today’s casinos ensure safe and responsible operations and generate great economic benefits in their region.”

Enhanced Industry Collaboration

The Swiss Casino Group venues in Zurich, Schaffhausen, St. Gallen, and Pfäffikon have unanimously joined the Swiss Casino Association. Winterthur will also submit a membership application once it opens. This development means that all 21 land-based and 10 online casinos in Switzerland are now members of the Swiss Casino Association.

Pfister emphasized the benefits of this unified collaboration, stating, “I’m pleased that Swiss Casinos has joined the association and with it the entire casino industry with one voice can speak.” Marc Baumann, a board member of Swiss Casinos, added, “The online business is changing the Swiss casino industry sustainably. We are happy to work together with the Swiss Casino Association to help shape the future.”

Revenue Trends: Land-Based vs. Online Casinos

In 2023, Switzerland’s land-based casinos experienced a slight decline in revenue, generating CHF 623 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR), down 1.1% from the previous year. Conversely, online casinos saw significant growth, accumulating CHF 286 million in GGR, a 14.3% year-on-year increase. This trend reflects a broader shift towards digital offerings in the gambling industry.

Casinos also saw a 3% increase in tax contributions, with the state receiving CHF 409.3 million in 2023. Over the past 20 years, Swiss casinos have contributed over CHF 8 billion in taxes, primarily benefiting the country’s AHV pension system.

Record Profits for Loterie Romande

In related news, the Loterie Romande public lottery reported a net profit increase to CHF 5.1 million for 2023. The lottery will distribute a record CHF 243.7 million to good causes, despite a 3.4% drop in gross gaming revenue to CHF 420.7 million.

Jean-René Fournier, Chairman of Loterie Romande, attributed the profit rise to stringent management of operating costs, enhanced digital offerings, and the introduction of the EuroDreams draw game. “This result can be attributed in particular to the rigorous management of operating costs, the strengthening of our digital offering, and – with the launch of the European draw game EuroDreams in October 2023 – the diversity of our product range,” Fournier explained.

The Swiss Federal Council’s new casino licensing regulations mark a significant evolution in the country’s gambling industry. With new casinos in Prilly and Winterthur and a reinforced industry collaboration through the Swiss Casino Association, the future of Swiss gambling looks robust and promising. As the sector shifts increasingly towards online gaming, these new regulations ensure a balanced approach to growth and responsible operations.

Source: “Switzerland federal council grants all casinos new licences from 2025”. May 24, 2024.

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In a recent vote, Vancouver’s ABC party has decided to change the city’s strict moratorium on gambling expansions. The amendment was passed despite opposition from health officials and calls for more public consultation.

ABC Councilors Approve Increase in Casino Slot Machines

The recent ruling allows new applications from the B.C. Lottery Corporation (BCLC), which can increase the number of slot machines and gaming tables at existing venues such as the Parq Casino and Hastings Racecourseb, reported CTV News Vancouver. However, the amendment does not allow the construction of new casinos.

ABC councilors Mike Klassen, Lisa Dominato, Rebecca Bligh, Peter Meiszner, and Lenny Zhou voted in favor of the staff recommendation to relax the restrictions on gambling.

Peter Meiszner noted that the proposal is very modest. He underscored that it just allows the addition of machines within the currently operating casinos and not expanding or building new facilities.

Still, the decision was not passed with a unanimous vote. ABC councilor Sarah Kirby-Yung opposed the proposal citing significant reservations. She noted that according to the staff report, which was initiated by the BCLC, an increase of $5 million is expected in Vancouver’s annual gambling revenue. 

Kirby-Yung further argued that these financial projections unveil that the proposal has far more significance than it appears to, which in turn means that there will be a considerable increase in gambling activities in the city.

Health Officer Warns of Gambling Risks as Council Approves Expansion

Dr. Mark Lysyshyn, Vancouver’s medical health officer, was also among the people who strongly opposed the amendment due to concerns about increased harm.  He highlighted that gambling disorders can lead to severe problems such as stress, anxiety, depression, and financial difficulties. 

Dr. Lysyshyn also reminded lawmakers that gambling addiction is recognized as a mental illness. He emphasized that even a small percentage of gamblers developing addictions could have far-reaching negative effects on families and communities.

OneCity Coun. Christine Boyle and Green councilors Adriane Carr and Pete Fry also voted against the proposal. Fry expressed criticism as there was no comprehensive public consultation and questioned whether the amendment of the 2011 moratorium was legal. 

On the other hand, Adriane Carr called for more extensive public engagement, noting that the original moratorium followed eight days and nights of public hearings.

BCLC representative Lara Gerrits defended the proposal saying that expansion is necessary. She pointed out that the city’s population has grown by 20% since the moratorium was put in place. She noted that the current gambling facilities often reach capacity, especially after major events. Gerrits also mentioned that 67% of gambling spending by Vancouver residents currently goes to other Lower Mainland facilities.The amended moratorium allows the council to assess each application individually, with input from Vancouver Coastal Health and the Vancouver Police Department. The police reported no specific concerns about the amendment during the council meeting.

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Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies secured major approval for their proposed $1.4 billion dollar project, Live! Gaming & Entertainment District. The massive mixed-entertainment project is planned to be located in the City of Petersburg, Virginia, using land near the intersection of Wagner Road and Interstate I-95. The strategic location is expected to help with the visitation to the Live! Gaming & Entertainment District, considering that it provides easy access to one of the most important north-south interstates for the East Coast.

On Thursday, the Cordish Companies and Brice Smith Enterprise received approval for their massive project from the Petersburg City Council. The unanimous approval marks an important achievement for the duo, taking them a step closer to the realization of the ambitious project. Still, prior to commencing the project, the matter must be put up with the voters in the state. It is expected that Virginia voters will have a chance to vote for or against the project in a referendum this year in November.

The massive $1.4 billion project is expected to create more than 7,500 new construction and permanent jobs. At the same time, the Live! Gaming & Entertainment District, Anchored by Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia is expected to generate some $504 million in tax revenue for the first ten years. From that total, some $240 million in taxes are expected to benefit the city directly. Overall, the project is expected to bring $2.8 billion in economic stimulus to the region, turning Petersburg into a go-to gaming, entertainment, hospitality and shopping destination.

The Project Is Expected to Deliver World-Class Entertainment, Hospitality

Provided that the project receives a green light, The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise plan to quickly enter into its first phase, developing and opening a new casino that will immediately create new jobs for the city. Once the initial phase is completed, the Live! Gaming & Entertainment District is expected to offer more than 1,000 slots, a dedicated poker room, a casino bar and 23 live action table games.

“We extend our thanks to the entire Petersburg City Council for its thoughtful decision to select Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies as development partners for this transformative, world-class destination in Petersburg.“

Zed Smith, chief operating officer for The Cordish Companies

Zed Smith, The Cordish Companies’ chief operating officer, thanked the Petersburg City Council for its latest decision to support the companies’ ambitious project. He spoke about the Cordish Companies’ experience in developing large-scale mixed-use casino resorts and developments across the country.

Moreover, Smith added that the collaboration with Bruce Smith Enterprise marks the perfect fit for the company. Last but not least, the executive explained that the two companies are looking forward to collaborating with the City and Commonwealth to deliver exceptional gaming experiences and exciting opportunities.

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New York State previously announced its plans to introduce three new downstate casino licenses. One of those licenses is expected to be awarded for New York City and there are plenty of leading gaming operators and developers who have already shown interest. Overall, there are nine bids for a casino license for the Big Apple.

Earlier this week, city lawmakers approved important changes to the regulations, paving the way for the development of one casino. On Thursday, the New York City Council voted and approved a text amendment that would “allow applicants, with a proposed gaming site in the city, to be considered by committees of local officials established by the State’s casino licensing process.”

The City Council greenlighted the Gaming Facility Text Amendment which makes changes to New York’s zoning. Previously, casinos were not permitted within the Big Apple’s zoning, but the change seeks to address this conflict while still ensuring that local communities can help decide whether or not a casino is established in their area.

Operators interested in casino licenses must first secure approval from the local Community Advisory Committees (CACs), which will review submissions made before June 30, 2025. According to the City Council, after CACs approval and a Gaming Facility Location Board recommendation, one of those bids would be able to secure one of the three casino licenses announced by the New York State Gaming Commission.

“Currently, casinos are not permitted uses within New York City’s zoning. This text amendment would resolve this zoning conflict, while maintaining communities’ decision-making authority on casino licenses within the State’s application process, which first requires approval by local Community Advisory Committees (CACs),“

reads a statement from the New York City Council

Casino Opponents Raise Concerns

Although the voting of the zoning change text passed, it wasn’t without opposition. A majority of 35 council members supported the change while 15 members voted against it.

The City Council confirmed that the sites that would be considered for a casino would be “limited to high-density commercial and manufacturing areas.” This was precisely one concern for Kalman Yeger, one of the council members who voted against the zoning text change. Quoted by amNewYork, he revealed: “Casinos are bad, but they’re even worse in our residential neighborhoods.” Moreover, Yeger said: “They’re worse just blocks away from our schools, from our kids, from family lives. And no amount of revenue is worth destroying neighborhoods in the city. So that a lot of people can make some money…It’s bad policy.”

Despite the progress, there’s plenty of time before the potential approval of a casino license in New York.

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Last week, the plan to see Petersburg, Virginia turn into the state’s fifth city that would host a casino came one step closer to becoming a reality, thanks to the Virginia Senate clearing Senate Bill 628 that could give the green light to a casino in the city.

Now, according to a unanimous decision announced by the Petersburg City Council, the next phase in advancing a Destination Resort project is underway. 

Proposals from Operators and Developers Are Expected

The fresh resolution is leading the way for a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued on February 12 that encourages proposals from casino operators and developers in regard to the “comprehensive economic development project, including a destination resort, real estate development, retail, event venue, and casino.”

Proposals can be presented before March 18 at 10 a.m. EST. 

The council’s resolution has justified the RFP using the argument that tax revenue from this type of gaming resort could be employed for the benefit of local infrastructure, education, health, public safety, recreation, parks, and a variety of other initiatives that are expected to build wealth in the community.

Petersburg Thanks Virginia Lawmakers

Virginia state legislation that was passed in 2020 allowed five cities to weigh a commercial casino. The casino referendums held in Bristol, Norfolk, Danville, and Portsmouth were all successful. 

Richmond voters, however, rejected the idea of having a casino in the city two times in 2021 and 2023.

Ever since the Petersburg City Council has attempted to gain the right to a similar referendum to ask residents if they would like to have a casino resort in the town. 

Since Richmond’s casino prospects appear to be close to zero, state lawmakers appreciated the idea of seeing Petersburg qualify for sports betting, slot machines, and table games.

The Senate Bill’s chief patron, Senator Lashrecse Aird, together with Senator Louise Lucas, has played a crucial role in advocating for the city’s inclusion “as a host city in General Assembly legislation.”

According to the City Council, the legislative milestone accurately showcases the “collaborative efforts between Petersburg officials and Senator Aird in advancing the bill” and encourages local community members to engage and show support for it. 

The Resort Would Include a Casino and 500 Hotel Rooms

The Petersburg RFP features a number of detailed guidelines and recommendations, including a mandatory casino, at least 500 four-star hotel rooms, retail shopping, dining and drinking venues, as well as an entertainment venue.

Petersburg would also only partner with a reputable casino brand with a proven record of financial sustainability and success. 

City councilors have also expressed their preference to see the hotel component featuring two separate offerings from well-known hoteliers.

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In November, the Kenosha City Council in Wisconsin greenlighted a proposal of the Menominee Tribe and Hard Rock International which calls for the development of a new gaming and entertainment resort. The tabled project is planned to use some 60 acres of land, located on County Highway K, west of Interstate 94.

Now, the project continues to gain traction following a meeting of the Kenosha Common Council. The Council met on Wednesday this week and saw a majority of its members vote in favor of the project. With only six members voting against the project, a majority of 11 supported Hard Rock’s planned casino and entertainment resort.

This progress marked another important step toward the realization of the massive casino project that is estimated to have a price tag of nearly $400 million. Securing the approval of the Kenosha Common Council, the proposal will now seek another green light from the Kenosha County Board. The Board is expected to convene later this month, on January 16, and vote on the proposed project.

The Hard Rock Casino in Kenosha is expected to help create new workplaces, including jobs that will be available during the construction. The city itself would benefit from tax revenue, while the casino project is also expected to attract tourists, impacting positively local businesses.

Menominee Tribe Is Excited with the Progress of the Project

Gena Kakkak, chair of the Menominee Tribe, was excited about the recent approval the project secured, as announced in a report by Fox6. “We thank the City Council for its continued support for and confidence in the many positives that the Kenosha Hard Rock Casino will bring to the community,” she explained.

Additionally, Kakkak highlighted the efforts and support of Mayor John Antaramian for the proposal. Speaking about the benefits the new casino would bring, the Tribe’s chair said the project would create more than 1,000 new jobs and boost the local economy.

The price tag of the new project is estimated at $360 million. Besides the 1,000 permanent jobs, the construction of the casino which will last approximately 18 months will also create nearly 1,000 temporary workplaces. Annually, the project is estimated to welcome more than 2.4 million visitors with 1.6 million of that total arriving from other states.

Besides a Hard Rock Hotel with 150 rooms, the project will offer a massive gaming floor with 50 table games and a staggering 1,500 slot machines. Additional amenities visitors of the new venue can expect include a Hard Rock live entertainment venue, restaurants, bars and shopping outlets.

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Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson commented on the future of casino gaming in the city during his annual interview with the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce. He outlined some of the challenges operators may have to face, warning them that the legalization of casino gaming is not the only thing they need to keep in mind.

Johnson reflected on this possibility in the wake of the deal between Las Vegas Sands and the Dallas Mavericks which saw the casino operator acquire land in Irving.

While Texas doesn’t currently allow commercial casino gaming, activists have sought to change that for years, with some spending millions on lobbying. The recent acquisition of the Mavericks, which is still subject to approval from the NBA, has sparked theories that the coming of casino gaming may be on the horizon.

Obviously, casino gambling is not legal in Texas, right? It’s not. And so, it would need to become legal by a change in state law.

Eric Johnson

While the legislature will ultimately decide whether casino gaming can happen at all, Johnson believes that the conversation doesn’t need to start there.

The Council Would Decide if a Company Can “Plop a Casino”

Johnson explained that consulting the city council is a major thing casino operators need to consider. He pointed out that even if Texas legalizes Tier III gaming, Dallas’ council would be the one deciding where companies can develop a casino or whether they get to develop a casino at all.

The folks I sit around the horseshoe every day, I can guarantee you, are gonna have to have a say in where you plop a casino in the City of Dallas, or whether you get to plop a casino in the City of Dallas.

Eric Johnson

Operators would need to secure a myriad of permits to get a casino project approved, which is why the Dallas mayor believes that discussion with the city council is an important thing operators should keep in mind.

Proponents of casino gaming argue that its legalization would bolster tourism and have a huge positive impact on the local economy. The owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, has been one of the biggest supporters of casino gaming, saying that it would attract many visitors to The Lone Star State.

In any case, many believe that the outlook for casino gaming remains bleak despite Las Vegas Sands’ active efforts to change that. As of the time of this writing, only tribal operators are allowed to run casinos in the state.

.

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Nebraska’s launch of legal casino gaming has impacted casinos in the neighboring state of Iowa. As reported by the Omaha World-Herald, two big Council Bluffs casinos have been recording lower revenues – an impact that was also outlined in the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Q3 revenue report.

Eastern Nebraska launched slot gaming in late 2022, following the legalization of casino-style gambling at horse racing tracks in 2020. This appears to have quickly impacted gambling revenues in Iowa, proving the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association’s claim that much of the money in Council Bluffs’ casinos is spent by Nebraskans.

The aforementioned group represents the interests of Nebraskan horse owners and trainers and was a fervent supporter of the legalization of casino-style gaming in the state.

Iowa Expected the Impact

In the meantime, the impact of gaming in Nebraska was not entirely surprising to Iowa. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission pointed out that locals have expected the Council Bluffs market to go down following the launch of gambling in the neighboring state.

For reference, Iowa’s regulator said that Ameristar, Harrah’s and Horseshoe reported $460 million in revenue in FY 2022-23, down 3% ($13.2 million) year-on-year. However, the first four months of FT 2024 alone saw the three Council Bluff casinos record a decline of $10.9 million.

For reference, Ameristar recorded a decline of $2.1 million. Horseshoe got the worst of it, with revenue for the period plummeting by $9.2 million year-on-year. Harrah’s was the only property to remain somewhat stable, reporting a modest increase of $400,000 for the first four months of FY 2024.

The Full Extent of the Impact Is Yet to Be Seen

Further revenue decline may await Iowa’s casinos as the property expected to have the profoundest impact on Council Bluffs is not completed yet. This is the WarHorse Omaha property, which would completely refurbish Horsemen’s Park, turning it into a very attractive gaming destination.

WarHorse Omaha’s casino operations should launch by autumn 2024 and, according to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, will further add to Council Bluff’s woes. The Omaha World-Herald added that an earlier study expects Council Bluffs’ casinos to lose as much as $183.9 million in adjusted gross receipts once Nebraska fully powers its gambling operations.

The World-Herald also spoke with Nebraskan bettors who confirmed that the new casinos are much more convenient to them. In addition, some customers appreciate the fact that their gambling money is not leaving the state.

Despite that, costs, payouts and the overall experience are higher priorities for many bettors. This means that Iowa casinos still have a chance to channel customers toward their properties by offering great gaming experiences.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission concluded that local properties will continue to invest in ramping up the experience to retain their competitive edge.

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French blockchain enthusiasts have a reason to rejoice as the Sorare law was passed with an overwhelming support. Under the new law, which would provide the foundation for a regulatory framework for games using NFT and crypto features, such titles will not be classified as gambling.

Backed by 437 voters and opposed by 77, the so-called Jonum (games with monetizable digital objects) regime is set to seek balance between innovation and player protection.

The Sorare law still needs approval from the Constitutional Council but is an important step toward the legitimization of NFT and crypto games. The council will now review the voted measure and decide its future. The council has the power to reject the Sorare law, which would be a suboptimal outcome for the future of blockchain technology in France.

If the law is passed, however, the Jonum regime could be the development that companies tapping into blockchain technology desire. In any case, the regime would likely still need tweaks and amendments, considering the novelty of the crypto gaming vertical.

France Seeks to Regulate Crypto Games

Because of their inherent similarities, crypto games risked being classified as gambling, which is subject to higher taxes.

While crypto games will not be considered gambling, their compliance will still be overseen by France’s watchdog, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ). Like in gambling, the ANJ will require crypto gamers to provide their age and prove their identity when withdrawing funds. However, they will not need to verify their identity when registering an account. Web3 games will also be subjected to a number of other regulations they would be required to follow.

Experts have suggested that the Sorare law would give preferential treatment to crypto games, which is why existing operators might be inclined to explore the opportunities the blockchain sector offers. Pari Mutuel Urbain, for example, already offers a crypto-based fantasy racing game called Stables and is likely to further dabble in Web3 technology.

While some companies are sure to adapt, casino groups have slammed the new law, accusing the government of not inviting them to participate the discussion. Under French law, only casino companies with a physical presence can offer online gambling. Many of these companies believe that the regulation of Jonum is a bad move that would usher in an age of illegal gambling.

Some even fear that some online casinos may use NFT payouts to circumvent France’s gambling rules.

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Kentucky officially embraced in-person sports bets on September 7, followed by the much-anticipated launch of an interactive platform for mobile and online wagers three weeks later, on September 28, a date that coincided with FanDuel’s launch of its mobile sports betting app. 

Ever since, sports betting in the Bluegrass State Sports has generated millions in state taxes while coinciding with an increase in the number of people asking for professional gambling addiction help.

While a portion of the wagered money is used to support the public pension deficit in Kentucky, among others, some will also reach the special fund that the state has dedicated to problem gaming. 

According to the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling’s president, Dr. RonSonlyn Clark, the respective money will be actively used to serve their purpose, in the context of the new problems rising in the state. 

Limited Number of Certified Counselors 

Clark spoke about the need to adjust to the ongoing technology advent that has been adopted by the gambling industry in the past years, which now allows gambling “from the comfort of your home in your pajamas 24/7, every day of the year.”

The president also raised the problem of the limited number of certified compulsive gambling counselors. At the moment, Kentucky only hosts five such certified counselors. 

In the context of a potentially large influx of fresh sports bettors brought in by the legalization of the activity, it is safe to assume that there will also be an increase in the number of players seeking problem gambling support. 

Quoting statistics, Clark spoke about the fact that up to 2% of gamblers will require “some treatment”. The council’s president strengthened this idea by mentioning the rise in the number of calls to the 1-800 hotline for gamblers while anticipating an exacerbation in the future.  

Also commenting on the current systems built to assist people with problem gaming, Clark said that while “some infrastructure” is currently available, she would like to see it get stronger. 

In this context, the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling has announced its intent to perform blitz training at the head of 2024 as a means of getting people who want to become gambling counselors the necessary.

Gambling Addiction Leads to High Rates of Suicide 

Another important issue raised by Clark regarded the high rate of suicide recorded among those affected by gambling addiction or disordered gambling. 

As explained by the therapist, “20% of people will attempt or complete suicide” once they are faced with gambling-related problems caused by financial issues, shame, secrecy, guilt, and the involvement of their families.

Clark further mentioned the “addictive quality” that goes hand in hand with gambling, mentioning substance and alcohol use as well as a variety of other types of behavioral addictions. While some of these are tied to genetics, others are triggered by people’s lifestyles, the things individuals are exposed to, or as a way of developing new coping mechanisms to escape daily problems. 

Accordingly, Clark expressed her desire to see a rehab center built to assist with recovery. Such a center would incur between $2 and  $3 million dollars in yearly costs.

The council, whose vision is to “be the focal point for problem gambling issues in the Commonwealth of Kentucky”, was set up almost three decades ago in an effort to promote prevention activities, raise awareness, and educate gamblers and individuals confronted with disorder gambling issues.

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